Deb Haaland

Why they say you should vote for them

The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.

• Says she is "the leader we need to challenge the status quo" and will "change the game" for New Mexico.[1],[2]
• Says, "when Donald Trump tries to push us down, I'll lift New Mexico up."[7]
• Points to her life story: raised in a military family, a single mother who earned her college degree at 34, and the first Native American cabinet secretary.[2]
• Says her priority is "driving down costs and putting more money in New Mexican's pockets."[4]

Background

• U.S. Secretary of the Interior, U.S. Department of the Interior · 2021–2025[5]
• U.S. Representative, U.S. House (New Mexico's 1st District) · 2019–2021[5]
• Chair, Democratic Party of New Mexico · 2015–2017[5]
• Tribal administrator, San Felipe Pueblo[2],[5]
• Small business owner (salsa production), New Mexico[2]

Education

• J.D., University of New Mexico School of Law (2006)[5]
• B.A., English, University of New Mexico (1994)[5],[2]

Where they stand

• Housing
  Says she would "aggressively build more housing" by cutting barriers and speeding permits, ban rent-setting algorithms, and expand down payment assistance for first-time buyers.[3]
• Taxes
  Proposes increasing and expanding eligibility for the state Child Tax Credit and Working Families Tax Credit, and raising the minimum wage.[4],[3]
• Public Safety
  Proposes more tools and technology for law enforcement to arrest violent offenders and track drug traffickers, an Office of Community Safety with social workers, expanded addiction treatment, and violence-prevention programs.[3]
• Children & Families
  Pledges to overhaul the Children, Youth and Families Department, starting with an experienced cabinet secretary and moving toward an independent commission, and to strengthen the Office of the Child Advocate.[8]
• Energy & Environment
  Supports a moratorium on new large-scale data centers until the state sets rules on water use, energy, and local benefits, and proposes expanding state investment in renewable energy to lower utility costs.[6],[9]
• Health Care
  Proposes measures to address the doctor shortage, more mobile health clinics, banning medical debt from credit reports, and using budget surpluses to fill Medicaid gaps.[3]
• Education
  Proposes earlier literacy screening, expanded career pathways starting in middle school, community school models, and expanding the Opportunity Scholarship for free college tuition.[3]

Voting record

A selection of notable recorded votes. Not a complete record.

In their words